I saw twenty natives being escorted towards us, doubtless the bearers who had been promised; also I saw many others, accompanied by other natives, flying from the village into the bush.

Lastly, a third messenger arrived, who announced that the _Maria_ was sailing away, apparently in charge of a prize-crew, and that the man-of-war was putting about as though to accompany her.
Evidently she had no intention of effecting a landing upon what was, nominally at any rate, Portuguese territory.

Therefore, if anything was to be done, we must act at once.
Well, the end of it was that, like a fool, I accepted Stephen's advice and did nothing, always the easiest course and generally that which leads to most trouble.

Ten minutes afterwards I changed my mind, but then it was too late; the _Crocodile_ was out of signalling distance.
This was subsequent to a conversation with Hans.
"Baas," said that worthy, in his leery fashion, "I think you have made a mistake.

You forget that these yellow devils in white robes who have run away will come back again, and that when you return from up country, they may be waiting for you.